Financial Analysis, Modelling & Forecasting

About the Course

In recent years, organisations and business professionals have faced increasing pressure to make sound financial decisions amid volatility, complexity, and limited visibility into the future. While financial analysis provides valuable insight into an organisation’s historical performance and current financial position, it offers limited guidance for addressing future uncertainty and strategic planning.

Financial modelling and forecasting have therefore become essential tools for anticipating risks, evaluating opportunities, and supporting informed decision-making. These techniques enable organisations to translate financial and economic knowledge into structured, forward-looking projections that support budgeting, investment appraisal, and strategic planning processes. As a result, business professionals and managers must develop a clear understanding of how financial models are constructed, how assumptions are developed, and how forecasts are generated and interpreted.

This 5-day Financial Analysis, Modelling & Forecasting training course is designed to provide a practical and structured learning experience focused on building robust financial analysis, modelling, and forecasting capabilities. It guides delegates through the interpretation of financial statements, the application of analytical techniques, and the development of integrated financial models that link income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Delegates will gain hands-on exposure to forecasting methodologies, key financial drivers, and valuation concepts, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications using Excel-based tools. Delegates will be equipped with a comprehensive set of financial skills and techniques to support effective forecasting, evaluate financial performance, and enhance decision-making within their organisations.

Core Objectives

Delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Analyse and interpret financial statements with confidence
• Understand the logic and rationale behind commonly used financial models
• Recognise the dynamics and challenges associated with financial forecasting and modelling
• Apply quantitative techniques to financial statement modelling
• Identify appropriate tools and methods for financial forecasting
• Apply capital budgeting principles and valuation models to support decision-making

Training Approach

This training course adopts proven adult-learning methodologies to ensure maximum understanding, engagement, and retention. It is delivered in a participative workshop format, with a strong emphasis on practical skill development. Delegates will gain hands-on exposure to concepts and techniques that can be directly applied to real-world business situations upon returning to their organisations.

The Attendees

This training course is suitable for professionals who wish to understand how financial models and forecasts are effectively constructed, regardless of their business, legal, technical, or operational background.

It will be particularly valuable for professionals, including but not limited to:

• Financial Accounting and Reporting Teams
• Cost Accountants
• Corporate Managers
• Finance Managers
• Production Managers
• Marketing Managers
• Legal Managers
• HR Managers
• Project Managers
• Banking Professionals
• Public and Semi-Public Sector Professionals
• Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
• Business and Strategic Planning Managers
• Commercial and Investment Analysts
• Capital Project and Investment Planning Personnel

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

• Components of an Annual Company Report
• Income Statement Structure and Interpretation
• Statement of Changes in Equity (Retained Earnings)
• Balance Sheet Structure and Financial Position
• Cash Flow Statement
• Cash Movement Analysis

DAY TWO: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

• Purpose and Rationale of Financial Statement Analysis
• Profitability Ratio Analysis
• Liquidity Ratio Analysis
• Solvency and Leverage Ratios
• Asset Utilisation and Efficiency Ratios
• Additional Key Financial Ratios
• Limitations of Financial Ratio Analysis

DAY THREE: FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCIAL MODELLING

• What is Financial Modelling?
• Inputs and Outputs of a Basic Financial Model
• Financial Modelling Process for More Complex Models
• Financial Model Logic, Structure, and Linkages
• Identification and Selection of Key Forecast Drivers

DAY FOUR: FINANCIAL STATEMENT MODELLING & FORECASTING

• Income Statement Modelling Techniques
• Balance Sheet Modelling Techniques
• Cash Flow Statement Modelling
• Overview of Statistical Methods Used in Forecasting
• Revenue and Sales Forecasting
• Cost and Expense Forecasting
• Capital Expenditure and Depreciation Forecasting
• Working Capital and Funding Requirement Forecasting

DAY FIVE: BUSINESS VALUATION

• Overview of Valuation Approaches
• Application Steps of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method
• Recasting Financial Statements and Free Cash Flow Calculation
• Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Estimation
• Terminal Value Estimation
• Enterprise Value Adjustments

Certificate Awarded

Upon successful completion of this training course, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from XCalibre Training Centre, acknowledging their accomplishment. This certificate serves as a testament to their dedication to developing their skills and advancing their expertise in their respective fields.